God’s gift . . .
Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound
A Little History . . .
Today “Prayer Paths” celebrates one year . . . One year ago, I felt called to help people delve deeper into prayer by helping grow a desire within to discover, or rediscover, a spiritual relationship with God . . . My persistent prayer is to be able to continue to encourage growth and nurture hearts and souls through focused prayer . . . to keep fueling the flames of hunger and thirst for Christ . . . To help keep your soul on fire!!
Over the next few weeks, I want to expand upon something I first wrote during Covid, a little book called A Journey Though Amazing Grace . . . This was the foundational beginning of Prayer Paths, as I explored guiding people to a deeper experience in prayer—an experience that is felt in the heart and soul beyond the “Amen” of a recited prayer . . . An experience to aid in drawing your life’s focus to Christ, to help you find that singular focus, and help shine a small light into any brokenness so that Christ’s light may begin to warm, heal, and mend the heart.
Through God’s amazing grace, I didn’t go crazy during Covid, because He gave me a purpose and focus for His Kingdom . . . The writing guided by Him gave me something to think about, meditate on, and share with others . . . Prayer Paths is still very much God-guided, and I pray that everyone who reads even a few words can find a new focus or deeper way to communicate and grow with Christ.
This journey over the next several weeks—a time of discovery and self-examination—starts with the foundational words of “Amazing Grace” . . . You probably have some knowledge of the hymn, its lyrics, and meaning . . . The intent is to attach a new meaning to something familiar—a deeper understanding of what God’s amazing grace is, and how the phrases of the song connect to Scripture and examples of God’s love.
To help you center your mind and heart through prayer and contemplation, explore a closer relationship with God, take a personal walk with Christ in a quiet setting before going back into the world, and to let go of the “things” in life that are creating barriers between you and that closer relationship with God.
I know that not everyone “gets” singing . . . It is not their thing . . . but I want to encourage you to slow down and rethink what you are saying as you sing—what the lyrics are actually speaking to . . . The melody wraps up the words into an often easier-to-remember package, but it isn’t necessary for you to “get” the meaning the writer was trying to convey . . . so that you truly can feel and understand what God wants you to “hear.”
This can be a challenge—to take a leap of faith into the arms of Christ—to know He will take care of you, walk beside you, carry you when you are too tired to go on, and be with you every step of your journey together . . . The journey may take a day, a week, a month, or more . . . The timing doesn’t matter—just that you take some time with God.
“May grace and peace be yours in abundance
in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.”
2 Peter 1:2
INSIGHT . . .
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see.
Do you know what grace looks like? . . . Most of us can recognize [sing] “Amazing Grace,” but could you tell me what grace really looks like or feels like? . . At this point of our lives, most of us have experienced God’s grace and basically understand what it means . . . in church, you may have heard grace and mercy explained like this: “Mercy is not getting something you do deserve, while grace is getting something you don’t deserve.” . . . those “somethings” usually refer to judgment and salvation . . . Our sin separates us from God, and left to our own devices, we deserve to go “you know” . . . so, mercy is not going to hell, and grace is about receiving salvation and eternal life even though we sin.
By grace, we are transformed daily to look more like Jesus, to be a people who love better and sin less . . . We find grace in the presence and the power of the Holy Spirit . . . We are sustained by grace in every moment of our lives . . . As Paul tells us in Philippians 4:19, “My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” . . . When God meets our needs—often by using people around us—that is grace . . . All around us, there is evidence of God’s grace . . . We just have to remember to look for it.
The lyrics of “Amazing Grace” are literally a testimony to the restoring power of God’s love . . . The hymn’s meaning and theme illustrate that even when we are lost, we can be found by grace . . . Grace through God . . . redeemer, protector, guide and joy-bringer . . . This hymn is a great expression of the redemption available in God for this life and after.
The message of the song can be applied to anyone’s life . . . The song represents the personal journey many people can relate to . . . wanting to find meaning in our lives through faith . . . It offers hope to those who wish to become better and positively change their life, yet it does not appear judgmental . . . its universal message stays the same.
INVITATION—TO SPEND TIME & TALK WITH GOD . . .
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—
and this is not from yourself, it is the gift of God—
not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8-9
Grace is God’s unmerited favor, a kindness that we don’t deserve . . . There is nothing you have done, nor can ever do to earn this favor . . . It is a gift from God.
Where do you see God’s grace in your life today? . . . yesterday? . . . tomorrow?
Start with ~ Calming of Self
It’s necessary sometimes to separate yourself from the stresses and busy-ness of the outside world in order to prepare your mind and heart to spend time with God.
“Be still and know that I am God.”
Psalm 46:10
~~~~~
“When I thought, ‘My foot slips,’ your steadfast love, O Lord, held me up.
When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.”
Psalm 94:18-19
Let go . . . of the stresses of the outside world and listen to what God has to tell you in this moment . . . stop for a moment and listen.
Ask the Lord . . . to show you the “things” that are bothering you, distracting you, hurting you, and taking time away from life and from God.
Write down . . . a list of the stresses you need to leave behind . . . that you need to give over to God.
Ask the Lord . . . to help you let go of these “things” that are bothering you, disturbing you, confusing you, and side-tracking you
. . . these “things” that you have written down.
Imagine . . . taking a square of tissue paper, write down all the things you need to let go of . . . that you need to put into God’s hands . . . List it all . . . Get it off your shoulders and out of your mind, so that you can relax a bit and open your heart . . . Now imagine a stream or river in front of you . . . Scrunch up that paper and throw it in the moving water . . . Tell God that it is all His now . . . Watch the water soaking up and dissolving that list, washing it far away from you, gone and now in the hands of God . . . Breathe a huge sigh of release.
Reflect . . . on what you have let go of . . . Now gently pray as you . . .
Breathe in and say the words,
“Heavenly Father”
Breathe out and say the words,
“Walk with me.”
Repeat this for as long as you need, until you feel your shoulders relax, and you feel God’s presence and peace in the moment.
Take this image with you . . . Look at your feet in front of you . . . This is where you are right now . . . this is where God is right now
. . . with you!! . . . Whenever you look at your feet, REMEMBER! God is always with you! . . . You may not always realize it, but He is with you . . . You are never alone!
Going Deeper ~ Recognizing God
Discover how to center your mind and heart, to recognize who God is in your life . . . Scripture refers to Christ as the Rock, Shepherd, Comforter, Healer, as well as Living Water.
“The Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd;
he will lead them to springs of living water.
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
Revelation 7:17
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“If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.
Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said,
‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”
John 7:37b-38
Discover . . . God is everywhere around you . . . It’s okay for Him to be in your life . . . He is always there whether you see Him or not . . . He cares and He loves you, no matter what . . . You are His child, so don’t be afraid to look for His presence.
Realize . . . God doesn’t have to come to you with the crash of a cymbal or a billboard sign . . . His presence can be as simple as a whisper, a glint of light in the flame of a candle, or the drip of falling rain.
Ask God . . . to help you recognize when or where He is in your life . . . He will be there in the good and the bad—let Him help you.
Note . . . when you have seen God lately? . . . In the day to day, and in every large and small way?
Imagine . . . slowly filling a glass or bowl with clear, cool water . . . Listen to the sound . . . Be still, stop for a moment and just listen . . . Watch the flow of the water . . . the way it reflects the light . . . Feel the refreshing, cleansing liquid with your fingers . . . Spending time with Christ is refreshing too, providing restful and gentle nourishment . . . Christ’s love soothes and refreshes the soul and helps you feel alive.
Reflect . . . on the water, knowing it cleanses and purifies, rinsing out the unwanted dust, dirt, and muck . . . just as believing, and seeing Christ daily in your life, clears your mind, opens your eyes, and more critically opens your heart . . . Take another deep breath . . . Can you feel your shoulders relax, and your heart softly open to God’s presence.
What does that mean to you?
Can you let Christ’s love cleanse you? . . .
Will you let Him wash away this moment’s grime?
Take this image with you . . . Whenever you wash your hands, wash the dishes, take a bath or shower . . . let the water run through your fingers to remind you that God’s Living Water, Christ’s love, refreshes and cleanses your soul . . . Whenever you hear the sound of running water, a fountain, stream, rain, or waves on the sand . . . feel God’s presence in your heart and be sure you are letting Him in.
ILLUMINATION . . .
Songs are powerful reminders and can be anchors for our journey through this life . . . They evoke all kinds of emotions, move us to action, and more . . . I assume by now that you have figured out, I love music . . . in most forms . . . but particularly songs and hymns that share, develop meaning, expand upon, and deeply reach my heart and soul . . . that soul that longs to experience Jesus every moment of every day.
Do you have a song or songs that help you?
. . . maybe that helps you when you are sad, or lost, or confused?
Life can be so unpredictable and challenging—joys and sorrows, beautiful blessings, and distressing difficulties . . . All can come unexpectedly . . . Our life’s dreams and plans can change in an instant . . . We all get wrapped up in the energy and excitement of life around us, good and bad . . . and we can get “out of control,” “stressed out,” and “off focus” very quickly . . . and we often don’t even realize it.
We can find peace and calm in the middle of all the turbulence and chaos . . . You need to take a moment to regain your composure and that is when God puts words into your heart . . . They can come packaged with a melody or just His Word—words of strength, mercy, and grace . . . The words are there . . . just open your heart and soul and listen.
INSPIRATION—PRAYING THROUGH MUSIC . . .
I remember those melodies, those words we sang when I first believed.
Songs of redemption, stories of hope, heaven awakened inside my soul.
(North Point Worship)
I encourage you to take time to listen to any or all the songs below . . . there is no right or wrong style of music—it is what speaks to you . . . listen to the melody and the lyrics and feel the response of your heart to what God wants you to hear . . . and I do understand that music doesn’t speak to everyone . . . and that is okay too.
♪♬♪ Current . . . This is My Song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M73x8h6X43U&list=RDM73x8h6X43U&start_radio=1
♪♬♪ Praise & Worship . . . Word of God Speak
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJ6qZgWuO7g&list=RDLJ6qZgWuO7g&start_radio=1
♪♬♪ Traditional . . . Amazing Grace
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GSucyrbtoU&list=RD5GSucyrbtoU&start_radio=1
INTO EACH DAY AHEAD . . .
The song “Amazing Grace” is an account of one person’s conversion story almost 250 years ago . . . no matter how much time has passed, the meaning in this hymn is still true for people all over the world . . . Why is it called amazing grace? . . . Grace is amazing because God, in His infinite goodness, takes care of us when we can't take care of ourselves.
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see.
Heavenly Father, thank you for your gift of abundant grace.
It is through your amazing grace and incredible love that each of us are who we are
—saved through faith in Christ. We once were lost but now are found in You.
Thank you for setting us free from our mistakes, covering our shortcomings,
and bringing us back into fellowship with you.
When we are afraid, your grace relieves our fears.
When we stumble, your grace is stronger than our failures.
Help us to walk and live in your peace, and to share your love with others every single day.
In Jesus' name—AMEN
“A Journey Through Amazing Grace” © 2020 by Debra L. Parcel
“Amazing Grace” is a Public Domain Christian hymn published in 1779, with words
written in 1772 by English poet and Anglican clergyman John Newton (1725–1807)
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Prayer Paths (written by Dr. Debbie Parcel)
is a weekly email letter designed to “fuel”
your active prayer life, help you stay engaged in
focused prayer, and encourage a
growing relationship with our Triune God.
To receive Prayer Paths by email each week—send a request,
with your name and email,
to BarnabasRoad2025@gmail.com
(Prayer Paths is offered through Barnabas Road Ministries)